How Austin School Districts Are Ranked
Two ratings matter most when comparing Austin-area districts. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) assigns an A-F accountability grade based on test performance, graduation rates, and college readiness. Niche compiles a separate national ranking from test scores, surveys, and college outcomes. Both point to the same handful of districts at the top.
Here's how the major Austin-metro districts stack up for 2026.
| District | TEA grade | Niche 2026 | Median home price (in boundary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eanes ISD (Westlake) | A (94) | #1 in Texas | $1.2M+ |
| Lake Travis ISD | A (90) | A+ | ~$650K-$715K |
| Dripping Springs ISD | A/B range | A | ~$780K |
| Round Rock ISD | B (89) | A | ~$450K-$500K |
| Leander ISD | B (88) | A | ~$450K-$500K |
| Austin ISD | B (89) | varies by campus | ~$540K |
| Liberty Hill ISD | strong/growing | above average | ~$450K-$500K |
The pattern is clear: the highest-rated districts sit west of Loop 1 in the Hill Country, while strong-and-affordable districts cluster north in Williamson County. Your budget will largely decide which tier you shop in.
Eanes ISD: The #1 District in Texas
Eanes ISD is the top-rated public school district in Texas for 2026, ranked #1 of 876 districts by Niche with an A+ overall grade and an A (94/100) from TEA. It serves Westlake Hills, Rollingwood, and parts of west Austin (the 78746 zip code), educating roughly 7,500 students across nine campuses with a 15:1 student-teacher ratio and a graduation rate near 98%.
The flagship, Westlake High School, was recently named the #1 public high school in Texas and ranked among the top 20 nationally, sending 95%+ of graduates to four-year universities. West Ridge and Hill Country middle schools rank #2 and #3 statewide, and all six elementaries land among the top 20 in Texas. The student body is affluent (under 3% economically disadvantaged), which feeds into the test scores and college outcomes.
The catch is price. Median home values in the Eanes boundary sit above $1.2 million, and core neighborhoods run higher: Westlake Hills around $1.8M, Davenport Ranch near $2.1M, and Rollingwood close to $2.7M. If your search lives in this tier, our Austin luxury homes guide breaks down the trophy neighborhoods in detail.
Lake Travis ISD: A-Rated Hill Country West of Town
Lake Travis ISD earns an A (90/100) from TEA and an A+ Niche grade, serving about 11,000 students across communities including Lakeway, Bee Cave, Spicewood, and parts of west Austin. Lake Travis High School is consistently a top-rated campus, and the district pairs strong academics with the lake-and-Hill-Country lifestyle that draws so many relocating families.
Median prices inside the boundary run roughly $650K to $715K, with Lakeway around the high $600s and Bee Cave in the $650K-$900K range. Waterfront and estate properties push well past $1.5M. If the lake lifestyle appeals to you, our guide to homes near Lake Travis covers Lakeway, Bee Cave, and the waterfront premium.
Dripping Springs ISD: Top Schools, Hill Country Lots
Dripping Springs ISD covers about 198 square miles of northern Hays County, serving the city of Dripping Springs, parts of Driftwood, and southwest Austin's Belterra and Sawyer Ranch corridor. Three campuses earned A ratings in 2025 and all rated campuses scored at least 87, putting the district squarely in the A-to-high-B range. Dripping Springs High School is the single campus serving the whole district and a top draw for families.
Master-planned communities like Belterra, Headwaters, and Caliterra feed the district, with median home prices around $780K and a typical band of $700K to $800K. Value-focused new construction in places like Big Sky Ranch starts in the low $400Ks. Our Dripping Springs buyer's guide digs into the communities, well-water and septic considerations, and the 290 commute.
Round Rock and Leander ISD: A-Grade Schools at Lower Prices
If you want strong schools without a seven-figure price tag, the Williamson County districts are the answer.
Round Rock ISD
Round Rock ISD carries a B (89) TEA grade and an A Niche rating, with campuses like Westwood High School scoring 9/10 and a CCMR (college, career, military readiness) rate around 91%. It serves Round Rock, parts of Cedar Park, and portions of north Austin. Median prices inside the district land around $450K-$500K, and the core city of Round Rock is even more affordable near $375K-$390K. See our Round Rock buyer's guide for neighborhood-by-neighborhood detail.
Leander ISD
Leander ISD also pairs a B (88) TEA grade with an A Niche rating, and its top high schools (Vandegrift, Rouse, Vista Ridge) routinely score 9/10. It covers Leander, most of Cedar Park, and parts of northwest Austin. Median prices run similar to Round Rock, with Cedar Park near $415K-$480K. Our Leander guide and Cedar Park guide cover the master-planned communities and Red Line commute.
These districts prove a point worth remembering: academic quality often rivals the premium districts at price points $200K-$400K lower.
Austin ISD and Liberty Hill ISD: Magnets and Growth
Austin ISD magnet campuses
Austin ISD is a B-rated district overall, but campus quality varies widely, and its selective magnet schools are among the best in the state. The Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) is ranked the #1 college-prep public high school in Texas and #41 nationally by U.S. News. Anderson's International Baccalaureate program, the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, and McCallum's Fine Arts Academy are other admission-based standouts. These programs draw from across the district, so a home anywhere in AISD can be a path in, but admission is competitive. Median home prices across AISD run around $540K, and our Austin homes buyer's guide breaks down what each price tier buys.
Liberty Hill ISD
Liberty Hill ISD is one of the fastest-growing districts near Austin, with enrollment up more than 200% over the past decade to roughly 10,500 students. It serves the city of Liberty Hill and surrounding northwest Williamson County, about 30 miles northwest of downtown. The district is building schools quickly to keep up with new master-planned communities, and prices for newer single-family homes generally land in the upper $400Ks to $500K range. It's a watch-list pick for buyers prioritizing new construction and a rural-edge lifestyle.
How to Verify School Boundaries Before You Buy
Attendance zones change, and listings get them wrong. Never rely on the MLS, Zillow, or Realtor.com to confirm which school a home feeds into. Follow these steps instead:
- Confirm the district using the TEA School District Locator, which maps district boundaries by address.
- Use the district's own school finder. Eanes has SchoolSearch, Lake Travis publishes attendance-zone maps, and Austin ISD has a School Finder and interactive boundary map.
- Check all three levels separately. Elementary, middle, and high school zones don't always align the way you'd assume.
- Confirm in writing with the district's enrollment office before you make an offer.
Five minutes of verification can prevent a six-figure mistake, especially near boundary lines where moving one street can change everything.
Why Top Districts Protect Your Home Value (Even Without Kids)
School ratings drive resale demand whether or not you have children. In Eanes ISD, every campus rates 9/10 or higher, and the district's reputation creates a documented 15-25% price premium over comparable homes nearby. Crossing one street from Eanes into Austin ISD can mean a $100K+ difference for an otherwise identical house.
That premium exists because a large share of future buyers will care about schools, which gives top-district homes a bigger, more motivated buyer pool and stronger downside protection in soft markets. During Austin's recent correction, Eanes-area homes eroded far less than the citywide average. For a buyer without kids, this translates to better value retention and easier resale. The tradeoff: that premium is already priced in, so you pay more upfront. If schools aren't a priority, a strong-but-cheaper district like Round Rock or Leander may give you more house and a lower tax bill, which our property tax guide explains in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 rated school district in Austin?
Eanes ISD (Westlake) is the top-rated district in the Austin metro and #1 in all of Texas on Niche's 2026 list, with an A (94/100) from TEA. Its flagship Westlake High School ranks #1 among Texas public high schools and in the national top 20. The tradeoff is cost: median home prices inside the boundary top $1.2 million.
Which Austin school districts offer the best value for the money?
Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD deliver A-grade Niche ratings and 9/10 high schools at median prices around $450K-$500K, often $200K-$400K below the premium Hill Country districts. Williamson County also carries lower property tax rates than Travis County. For budget-focused families, these northern suburbs are usually the sweet spot.
How do I find out which school a specific address is zoned to?
Use the district's official boundary tool, not a real estate listing. Start with the TEA School District Locator to confirm the district, then use that district's school finder (Eanes SchoolSearch, Lake Travis attendance maps, Austin ISD School Finder). Confirm in writing with the enrollment office before making an offer, since zones change.
Do school districts affect home values if I don't have kids?
Yes. Homes in top districts like Eanes carry a documented 15-25% premium and hold value better because so many future buyers prioritize schools. That larger buyer pool means stronger resale demand and better downside protection in a slow market. Even childless buyers benefit from the value floor a strong district provides.
Is Austin ISD a good school district?
Austin ISD is a solid B-rated district overall, but quality varies a lot by campus. Its selective magnet programs, especially LASA (the #1 college-prep public high school in Texas), are among the best in the state, though admission is competitive. Families inside AISD should verify their specific assigned campus rather than judging the whole district by one number.